Grain threshing and separating machine



March 3, 1942.

E. E. METCIALF GRAIN THRESHING AN SEPARATING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed oct,

r inl INVENTOR 'BY 1 y M2. A TTORNEYS'- Marh3,1942. vE E, METCALF 42,275,319?

GRAIN THRESHING AD SEPARATING MACHINE Filed- Oct. ZO, 1939 5 SheetS-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Y.

March 3, 1942. E.'E. ME'vrcALF 2,275,392

GRAIN THRESHING AND SEPARATING MACHINE Filed Oct. ZO, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [N VEA/TOR Ligar E /fefcq 2f WMM a' TTONEYS.

March-3, 1942. E. E. METCALFV GRAIN THRESHING AND SEPARATING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct.

- /N VENTO/e Z. fezzadZ/ 9, A TTORNE Y.

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Patented Mar. 3, 1942 i UNH@ @anni rnnnsniNG AND -snrenarmo MACHINE Edgar E. Metcalf, ,Movilla Iowa, assignor of onehalfto Detroit Harvester Company, Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application Gctober 30, 1939, Serial No. 3GL962 (c1. 1st- 27) 24 Claims.

The present invention relates to grain threshing and separating machines and ,constitutes an improvement over the vmachine disclosed in my Patent No. 2,069,735, dated Februaryv 2, 1937,

It has been found necessary to effectively separate threshed grain from chaff and other foreign material to utilize a combination of winnowing and screening operations and all threshing Inachines now in use utilize both of these principles for separating the grain. However, the capacity of the separating mechanism is relatively limited by reason of the fact that in the machines now in use, the force oi gravity is relied upon in combination with the air blast. for thewinnowing operation and al-sofor the purpose of forcing the grain through the .'screens. As a result, it has not been possible to increase the amount` of material passing through the screen or to increase the air blast beyond well defined limits. In applicants above mentioned prior patent is disclosed a machine in which centrifugal force is utilized rather than the force of gravity in conjunction with both the screening and winnowi-ng operations, with the result that the capacity of the machine for a given sizemay be greatly increased. In the machine of the aforesaid prior patent, the cut grain is fed axially to the center of a rotary threshing and separating mechanism which throws the grain outwardly and successfully threshes, screens, and winnows the same to separate the grain from the chaff and other foreign material.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved machine of the type mentioned which has a greater capacity than the former machine, due to the fact that the threshing and certain of the screening elements opermechanism comprising a pair of concentric ro-` tary screens operating a-t different speeds in the same direction, l

AnotherV object of the invention is to provide an improved form of centrifugalA winnowing mechanism comprising a conical plate through which the `air'bl'ast is conducted in a direction toward the apex cf the cone, in combination with means for rotating the air and sweeping the material to be winnowed at a Vconstant rate of speed around the yinterior of the conical surface in order to accuratelyfbalance by centrifugal forcev the `force induced by axial component of the air blast.

Another object is .to provide means for directing the air blast in the above mentioned winnowing loperation in a direction substantially parallel to the wa-llsjof the conical separating surface.

.Another object of the invention is to provide means .for 'controlling the speecland direction of the air blast utilized in the winnowingoperation.

A further Vobject is to provide a multi-stage separati-ng mechanism in order to distribute the separating load and vthereby prevent clogging or interference to the end that separation will be effected with greater speed and eciency.

Otherobjects and advantages Aof the invention 'will become apparent from the following specication, the accompanying drawings, and

appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken substantially along the central'axis of the machine;

Figure 2 is an end elevation, part of the same.

being broken away;

Figure 3 is a side elevation;

Figure 4 is an enlarged'section of the separating mechanism, together with portions of the recleaning device as shown in Fig. l. It is taken on line 4--4`of Fig. 8v; l Figure 5 is an enlarged View similar to Fig. 2, but yof only a portion kof the machine with parts broken away `to show the interior construction;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal View of one of the main impelling blades, removed from the machine;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view of one` of the separating screens taken on the line l-l' of Figure `4;

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 4; v

Figure 9 is a sectional View taken 9-9 of Figure l showing the end portion of the conveying screw;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary. section on line Ill-lil of Figure 4 showing one of the air regulating units.;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary section on line II-H of Figure 4 showing a further air regu? lati-ng unit.

on thev line The machine is provided with a main driving shaft which is suitably driven by means of a pulley or other means attached to the extending portion The shaft I0 is journaled in the bearing |2, and extends through the entire machine. At its opposite end it is attached by a key I3 to a sprocket |4 over which passes the chain |5, which in turn engages a sprocket I6 carried by a shaft I1. A sprocket I8 on shaft I1 is connected by a chain I9 to a sprocket 20 which is attached by a key 2| to an outer hollow shaft 22 which surrounds and is independently rotatable with respect to the shaft I9. The hollow shaft 22 is journaled within the bearing 23. A housing 24 encloses the sprockets I4, I6, I8, and 20.

The shaft |1 passes through a bearing 25 and attached to this shaft is a small gear 26, the inner end of shaft I1 being journaled at 21. The gear 26 meshes with a larger gear 28 which is attached to a shaft 29 which shaft is journaled in bearings 30. A sprocket 3| on shaft 29 is connected by a chain 32 to a sprocket 33 which is attached by a key 34 to a further hollow shaft 35 that surrounds hollow shaft 22. Attached to the outer shaft 35 is an auger conveyor 36 which terminates at 31 in wiping flange 38. Wiping flange 39 extends substantially radially but curves slightly as shown in Figure 9.

Enclosing the spiral conveyor 36 is the hopper 40 which is fed in any suitable manner not shown, as by a traveling belt of a combine. A frusto-conical member 4| is attached to the hopper 40 and at 42 to a cylindrical member 43. A ring member 44 having an integral radial flange 45 is secured to member 43 and carries at 46 a stationary threshing plate 41 provided with a series of rubbing ribs 48. Fixedly mounted on shaft 22 is an annular distributing plate 49 having a series of radial stifening ribs 59 on its rear surface. Plate 49 is provided with a plurality of spaced substantially arcuate raised ribs 5| (see Fig. 5) which extend from a point centrally thereof outwardly in a clockwise spiral for the purpose of feeding straw and grain outwardly to the plate 41. Attached to the plate 49 is an annular threshing member 52 which includes the series of ribs 52a (see Fig. 5) which are spaced from and opposed to the similar ribs 48 on the stationary plates 41. The ribs 48 and 52a extend spirally in opposite directions.

A pair of frusto-conical ring members 53 and 53a, are attached to the other periphery of the plate 49. The ring 53a carries a frusto-conical screen member indicated generally at 54 and having openings 55 therein. The screen is formed by a plurality of longitudinal members 56 which are secured at their inner ends to ring 53a and which are connected to each other by a conveying member 51 which extends helically entirely around the frusto-conical screen five times to complete the screen and for another purpose hereinafter mentioned. Secured to ring 53 is a frusto-conical grated structure indicated generally at 58. The grating 58 is formed by a plurality of substantially axially extending bars `59 and Aa helically pitched conveying member or rib 60 which is attached to the bars 59. It will be noted from this structure that the screens 54 and grating 58 will rotate at the same speed as the plate 49. The helical rib 69, as hereinafter explained, cooperates with a re-cleaning screen.

A circular plate 6| having a hub 62 keyed at 63 to the drive shaft l0, carries the greater portion of the separating elements of the machine.

On the rear of the plate 6I are a series of radially extending blades or webs 64 which extend beyond the limits of the plate 6| and are of the form shown best in Fig. 6. Secured to blades 64 is a circular ring 65 preferably formed as a series of segments extending between each pair of blades 64. To ring 65 is attached at 66 a frusto-conical re-cleaning screen 61. Spaced outwardly from the screen 61 is a further frusto-conical member 68 forming with screen 61 a closed annular passageway. Extending radially between members 61 and 68 are a plurality of vanes 69 (see Fig. 8) each having at its rear edge a blade 10 which is bent at a substantial angle in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of plate 6|. There are only a comparatively small number of blades 64 compared to the number of vanes 69 but the blades 64 continue through the same and extend into successive paddle portions 12, 13, and 14, and into the large paddles 16. A further series of paddles 15 are also carried by these blades 64 as hereinafter set forth.

The paddles 16 rotate within the open annular space 11 which communicates with a spiral straw or chaff pipe 18 which surrounds the periphery of the machine as shown. The paddles 12, 13 and 14 rotate within successive channels 19, 80, and 8| which are built up to annular partitions 82 secured to the cylindrical outer casing 82a. One of the annular partitions 82 is attached at 83 to a further frusto-conical member 84 which is attached at 85 to an outer shell member 86. Attached at 81 to the shell 86 is a further wind directing plate 88 which includes the inwardly extending beveled portion 89 and the member 88 terminates at 99 at the inner edge of a vertical shell ring 9| which is attached at 92 to the member 86.

Positioned forwardly of plate 88 is a blower or fan comprising a series of radial fan blades 93 which are between plates 94 and 95. Spoke members 96 connect blades 93 to an inner series of substantially triangular shaped fan blades 91 which extend between a frusto-conical member 98 and the hub 99. The hub 99 is freely journaled at |00 to suitable bearings upon the shaft I9 so that it can turn freely at a much higher speed than the shaft. A collar |0| which is attached to hub 99 carries a sprocket |02 over which passes a drive chain |03 which is driven by means of a further sprocket |04 on a shaft |01. A second chain |08 connects a second sprocket |95 on shaft |01 to a sprocket 09 keyed to shaft I0. The ratio between the sprockets |09 and |05 provides a greater speed to the sprocket |05 and this speed is in turn increased by means of the ratio between the sprockets |04 and |02 so that the resultant speed of the fan 93 is substantially four times that of shaft I0.

Attached at its outer edge to the spokes 64 is a plate |I| which forms the forward wall of the casing for fan 93. Plate has an outer flange portion ||2 to which is attached a series of radial blades |13 that are also secured to the plate itself. The inner edge of plate I terminates outwardly of the forward edge of frusta-conical member 98.

A disk ||4 is attached to thespokes 64 inwardly of plate and extends inwardly to hub 62 forming an open passage leading from the interior of member 68 to the blades |3. A stationary cone member ||5 surrounds hub 99 and communicates at its large end with the interior of member 98 and through an opening ||6 with the tubular pipe ||1. Pipe ||1 supports cone |'I5 and connects it with the channel 8| in the main casing. Further pipes |i|f8..and ||9 are connected to the channels |29 and 89 respectively Iand merge together at |2| (see Fig. 3) into the larger pipe |22 which passes into the-hopper 49 at |23. A grain exit pipe |24 is suitably connected to the channel 19 and passes to alsuitable grain receiving bin, not shown Paddles 1='5 in channel |26 arecarried by an annular ring |25 which is attached at |26 to a member |21 which in turn is suitably carried by paddles 16. Member 21 merges into a rearwardly directed frusto-conical ilange |28. Attached at |29 and |39, respectively, to the partition 82 4 and a similar portion |3| is a frusto-conical sepav rating plate |32 whose surface is positioned at a substantial angle to its horizontal axis and terminates just short of flange |26. Y

The housing around paddles 16 is completed by an annularl element |33 which is attached at |34 to the closure plate |35 which in turn is attached at |36 to theouter end plate |31. As explained heretofore, the chaff pipe 13 communicates directly with the peripheral channel 11, and the pipe i8 can be built up of a number of segments |33 (see Fig. 2) which gradually increase in size toward the outer limits of the pipe, and which rform the bottom or closure member ofthe channel 11, i Y

A hollow annular member |39 carried by the extension of blades `64 lis positioned just inwardly of the smaller end of the separating cone |32.

, Member 39 includes a radial wall |4I, an angular portion |42 extending outwardly from wall |4| and merging with a cylindrical portion |43 which in turn bends into the inwardly inclined portion |44 and terminates at |45 to forma hollow annular structure. Member |39 is preferably formed as a plurality of segments extending between the adjacent blades 64. A flange |46 on a frusto-conical screen member |46 is secured to the hollow member 39 by bolts i 49a. The screen |46 is substantially parallel to and surrounds the screen d. The openings M1 in screen |46 are formed by a punching operation which leaves l" adjacent each opening an outwardly inclined projection |48, and these openings are spaced throughout the .entire peripheral surface of the screen. The inner end of screen |46 is attached at |49 to a ring |50. Y

A frusto-conical plate I5! which merges into a steeper conical portion |52 is positioned rear- VAt the .outer edge of screen .61 are a pair of spaced diverging frusto-conical plates |69 and v|61 which .extend around the axis of the machine and are connected to the extensions of blades 64. Plate|6| is also connected to the forwardl edges of blades 69. At theirvinner edges plates |60 and |6| are spaced to provide an entrance |262 for material discharged from the outer edge of screen 61. As shown in Figs. 4 and .10, extending :between blades 64 and secured to plate |61 is an .annular ring |65 to which a plurality of segmental plates |66 are adjustably attached by bolts |166' which pass .through suitable slots' |61 in plates |66. Each of the plates |66 extends betweenvadjacent blades 64 and adjustment of these plates radially controls the flow of air from the fan to the separating cone |32. Extending from plate |69 to `wall |55 are a plurality of radial blades |63 which are similar in arrangement to the blades |51. The outer ends of blades |63 have projections |64 adjacent the outer end oi the separating cone, and an annular substan tially cylindrical ring |164a is attached to the outer ends of these projections and cooperates with wall |54 in forming the restricted throat or nozzle leading to the separating cone.

Means are also provided for controlling the ilow of air to screen-61 which means, as shown in Figs. 4 and 11, comprises an annular member |69 secured to blades V6ft and attached to a plurality of segmental plates |16 by means of bolts |12. The bolts pass through slots |1| in plates |19 to permit radial adjustment of the latter for the purpose of controlling or eliminating the flow of air from fan 93 over lthe inner surface of screen Means are provided for lpositively controlling the rate of movement of material axially over the three screens 54, 61 and |46, torprevent clogging or sliding and blowing of the material off the screens by the air blast beforel the grain has an opportunity to pass through the screen openings. This means, in the case of screen |46 comprises the helical bar k51 of screen 54 which bar wardly of hollow member |39 and extendsoutwardly and forwardly from the inner edge of screen |46. The outer edge of plate portion |52 is bent into an annular hollow structure deiined by walls |53, |54, and |55, the latter being attached at |56 to the plate |52. Plate |5| is also preferably formed in segments extending between blades 6d. The walls |53 and |54 are adapted to form with separating cone |32 a restricted throat or nozzle as hereinafter set forth. A plurality of flat radially positioned thin sheets or blades |51 of which there area comparatively great number spaced peripherally about the screen are secured between screen |46, plates |5| and |52 and member |39 thereby forming a series of cells or passages adapted to discharge screened material at |58 onto the separating cone |32. An opening into these cells or passages is provided at |59 through which air from fans v 93 and 91 is blown through screen |45 in a direction to oppose passage of chaff and other light material therethrough.

projects outwardly vbeyondthe longitudinal bars 56 and lies in close proximity to the surface of screen M6. While yboth screens '5d and |46 are rotated in the same direction screen 54 being vattached to plate 4,9 is rotated at a higher speed than screen ldd which is attached to plate 6|. Accordingly, `the helical bar 51 insures that the material will move toward the large end of screen |4'6at a uniform rate of speed. The corresponding means in the case of screen 61 is the helical bar 6|! which operates in close proximity to screen 61 in the same manner and forthe same purpose.

The control oi movement of material over screen 5d is similarly effected by a helical bar |14 which is mounted onthe exterior of a frustoconical member .|15 attached tolongitudinal bars |16 bybolts |11. The -bars |16 are secured by bolts `|19 to brackets |19.' which in turn are secured by bolts |89 to the blades 64 inwardly of paddles 16. -In this case the helical bar |14 rotates at a slower speed than `screen 54 and aocordingly the spiral is of opposite hand to the spirals 51' and 69 previously described. The screens 54, 61, and |46 are preferably frustoconical in form, as shown, in order that cen trifugal force will move ora-ssist the feeding ribs in moving material over their inner surfaces.

As willy be readily understood the openings in screen 54 are larger than those in screen |46,

which latter openings are larger than those in screen 61. The openings in screen 61 are only of sufcient size to permit free passage of the grain while the larger openings in screens 54 and |46 are so proportioned as to divide the preliminary separating function between the two screens.

The inner end of the member |15 curves in an arcuate formation as at 86, leaving a slight space I 82 between the same and the outer limits of the plate 41. The bolts |83 pass through arcuate pitched slots which are provided in the member 44, and attached to the member 44 is the arcuate gear rack |84 which meshes with the small gear |85. The gear |85 is attached to the shaft |86 which is attached to the worm wheel |81 which meshes with the worm |88, and attached to the worm |88 in the crank |89 (see Fig. 2) having the handle |55. As a result of this mechanism the space between the threshing elements 41 and 52 can be adjusted at any time by rotating handle |91! to accommodate different types of grain or grain which is more or less Wet.

In considering the operation of the machine, it will be observed that the shaft I which is driven through a suitable connection at the portion |l'provides the driving action for all of the rotating parts. The shaft I0 may rotate, for eX- ample, at approximately 400 R. P. M. The intermediate hollow shaft 22 then rotates at approximately '710 R. P. M. due to the relative diameter of the sprockets I4, |6, I8 and 26. The outer hollow shaft 35 then rotates 4at approximately 140 R. P. M. and in a reversed direction through the reduced speed arrangement of the gears 26 and 28 and sprockets 3| and 33.

In considering the lefthand side of the machine in Fig. l it will be observed that the fan, which includes the fan blades 93, rotates freely upon the hub 9S which is journaled upon the bearings lili). The speed of the fan is approximately 1500 R. P. M., which speed is set up through the engagement of the chains |63' and |88 with the sprockets |69, |56, |64 and |62, the relative diameters and arrangements of which increase the speed of the fan to nearly four times that of the shaft I6. Due to these driving connections the auger 36 which is attached to the shaft 35 turns in one direction and the shaft 22 and also the shaft lil revolves in the opposite direction to the-auger. The fan also rotates in the same direction as the shaft I6 and the shaft 22, but in the opposite direction to the auger. In other words, the entire system of rotating parts rotate oppositely to the direction of the auger S at varying speeds.

The unthreshed bundles of out grain or such material is conveyed up to the hopper 40 by any suitable elevator such as is provided in combines and the like and is deposited therein. The auger 36 carries the material toward the left as shown in Fig. 1 against the spiral distributing ribs 5|. Upon examination of Fig. 2, in considering that the shafts I0 and 22 revolve from right to left and the auger from left to right, it will b-e observed that the ribs 5| rotate at a speed of approximately 710 R. P. M. and oppositely to the ange 38 which is an integral continuation of the auger 66. The effect is to provide an equal and uniform distribution of the unthreshed material about the distributing plate 49 and to also assist in impelling the material centrifugally outwardly. The centrifugal impulsion of the material, however, is principally caused by the rapid rotation of the plate which brings the unthreshed material between the ribs 52a and the stationary ribs 48. The rubbing action provided between the ribs 52a and 48 removes or loosens the solid grain particles from the Straw and chaff due to the scouring action. The material then leaves the outer periphery of these plates in a uniform thin layer.

As the grain which is now loosened travels outwardly due to centrifugal action thereof, it passes outwardly into the space between the conical plate |15 and the screen 54. 'Ihe straw will then move outwardly along the inner surface of screen 54, under the control of the helical member 14, until it is engaged by paddles 16 and thrown into the straw pipe 18, and thence out through the opening |9|.

Grain passing betweenthe threshing plates, if not traveling at the same speed as the bars 56 of screen 54, will bounce back to the member |15 and the centrifugal action imparted due to the rotation of the member |16 will impel the grain back through the openings and between the bars 56. 1 K

In considering further the operation of the machine, it must be remembered and specifically noted that the centrifugal effect increases in direct proportion to the distance of the outwardly impelled material from the central axis. Also, the centrifugal effect is considerably increased by virtue of the speed of the impelling members. As a result, the grain is centrifugally impelled through the screen 54 and will then pass through the openings |41 in screen |46. It will be noted that since frusto-conical member |15, the screen |46, the cell structure |51, the paddles 16, 15, 14, 13, 12 and the wind channels 69 are all connected to the plate 6| this entire structure will rotate at the Same speed as shaft lil, or 400 R. P. M. Since the screen 54 rotates at 710 R. P. M., which is at a greater speed than the member |46, the result will be that the helically pitched members 51 will also control movement of material outwardly along the inner surface of screen |46 toward the straw pipe.`

The grain particles and some chaff which passes through both screens 54 and |46 are delivered into the cells or passageways dened by the blades |51, which insure uniform delivery of material peripherally through the openings |58 and onto the stationary separating cone |32. The material which is delivered onto the cone |32 is substantially free from straws and larger particles.

At this point a further and important separating action takes place, which will new be described. The fan blades S3, which are rotating at a high velocity of substantially 1500 R. P. M. are rotating in the same direction the entire cellular structure heretofore described which rotates at the speed of 400 R. P. M. Fig. 8 illustrates more clearly the method by which the centrifugally impelled air enters into the wind channels GQ. In consi-dering Fig. 8, the blades 93 are traveling from left to right, as well as the channels 69. Since the blades 93 are traveling at a much higher speed, the wind which is blown through the channels 69 strikes against the bent portions at 16 and is thus impelled at a certain velocity through the opening 1| and in an axial direction. This rapidly moving current of air then travels in the direction oi the arrows |92 through the opening |93, which be adjusted in size by means of the adjustable arcuate segments |66, and then travels forwardly through the restricted throat or nozzle defined by ring |64a and walls |54 and |53 against the outer end of the separating cone I 32. Thisl high velocity air blast then travels axially and inwardly on the inner surface of the cone |32 Where it en'- counters the solid grain particles as well as chaff hwhich may have passed through the screen openings 55 and |41.

' .Since the chaff and tailings are lighter than the grain, the blast of air will drive the same axially and inwardly along the cone |32 and out through the opening v|94 where it will be taken up by the paddles 16, and will be thrown out through the chaff or straw pipe 13. Light kernels and unthreshed heads which are too It should be noted that the centrifugal win-y times.

failedidue to` fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the material as a whole and variations in speedv on differentA portions of the cone with a consequent uctuation. and variation in the centrifugal force and destruction of the required balance. However, in accordance with the presentinvention, the speed of rotation of material on the inner surface of the separating cone |32 is maintained at a constant value over the entire surface Iby reason of th-e fact that the discharge opening |58 of the cells between blades |51 is immediately adjacent the surface of the cone |32 with the result lthat when deposited on the cone the material is rotating at exactly the speed of plate 6|. Moreover, by reason of blades 64, 1|),r 69, |63, |64 and |51, the axially directed air blast is also rotated at the same speed as plate 6|, thus the air blast itself has a component or rotation which maintains all the material on the plate |52 at the desired speed of rotation at all' In this connection note that the outer edges of blades |51 and particularly blades 64 lie in close proximity to the surface of cone |32 and hence sweep over that surface and insure maintenance of the desired rotary movement of the air in contact with the cone. Asa result theseparation is effected by a proper balance .between the` rotary-and axial components of nowing separation whichk takes place onl cone |32 is effected by a careful balance between the axially directed air blast and centrifugal force in order to accomplish a separation of the material in accordance with the density of the constituent particles. The force exerted by the air blast on any particle is a function of its size' and shape whereas the centrifugal force for a given speed of rotation is a function of the mass of the particle. Centrifugal force tends to cause movement of the particles toward the outer edge |96 of cone |32 Whereas the air blast tends to move particles toward the inner edge of the cone. Accordingly, for any given speed of rotation and air Yblast the direction in which a particle will move depends upon its density and surface area. If its size or surface is great as compared with its mass, the effect of the air blast Will prevail and the particle will move inwardly on the cone, whereas if its size and surface is small as compared with its mass (high density) centrifugal force will prevail over the air blast and the particle will move outwardly. The grain is not only relatively dense, but has a very regular shape of small areaso that it islittle affected bythe air blast.v The mechanism will effect a separation of particles of the same size and shape but of different densities and kwill also separate particles of the same density if they so differ in shape as to'have different resistances to the air blast, since both density and the shape of a particle affect the forces acting on it. However, for sake 'of simplicity the separation is referred to herein and in the appended claims as taking place between denser and lighter particles, it being understood that the controlling factor is the ratio of density to the wind resistance or sailing qualities of the particle. For proper performance it is essential that the balance between centrifugal force and the air blast Abefmaintained at a constant value so that, theoretically at least, particles of some size, shape and density intermediate the grain on the one hand, and

motion of the air blast and a positiver maintenance of these components at a constant value over the entire surface of the cone. The cone, among other things, serves to retard outward movement of the 'material'funtil proper separation can take place.

It would be possible to connect the separating cone v|32 to the blades 64 and |51, so that it too rotates, but it is preferred to have the cone sta-- tionary as shown so that the particles to -be separated tendto roll and are slightly agitated, since that action materially assists in the separation.

Another important contribution to the success of the separation performed on cone |32 is the fact that the great bulk of the straw and other waste material has been removed by screens 54 and |46 beforethe material reaches the cone. Consequently, there is no danger of the cone becoming clogged during operation. On the contrary, the material is spread evenly on the cone surfacein a Very thin layerr with the result that a rapid and eiiicient separation can take place;

'The grain delivered to pipe |1 from the separating kcone is practically free of chaff and loose particles, but may contain a certain amount of heavy refuse and pieces of heads. This grain centrifugally impelled and distributed by means of the blades 91, which rotate with the fan blades chaff and unthreshed heads on the other, will remain stationary on the separating cone. Prior attempts to effect a winnowing operation by projecting material onto a conical plate have 53. The" grain is yimpelled outwardly between the member and the disk H4 and is then thrown radially at high speed Aoff the tapered member ||2 by rblades H3, The arcuate segments |10 can be adjusted to regulate the intake of air at this point. Due to the centrifugal action, the grain will pass outwardly and between the frusto-conical screen 61 and the member 58.

`Itwill be noted that the member 58 is attached to the rotating portion 53 which in turn is attached tothe distributing plate 49 which rotates atapproximately 710 R. P. M. While the screen 61 rotates at only 400 R. P. M. As a result, the` as previously described, controls or effects mover ment of particles of material toward the opening |62 where any material that fails to pass the screen will be thrown outwardly between the member |6| and the member |68, and will then be impelled outwardly into the channel 80. Since portions of this material might contain grain, it will then pass through the pipe IS which is connected to the channel 80 and will join the material in the pipe |22 and will pass to the hopper 40 to repeat the entire process.

Practically all of the solid grain particles will be thrown out through the openings in the frusto-conical member El and will pass radially outwardlyv through the openings 'H between blades 69, and thence directly into the channel 19 to which the grain or delivery pipe |24 is attached. 'Ihe grain passing to the pipe |24 is clean of all tailings, chaff, and sticks, etc., since the cleaning incline |32 as explained has removed all of the lighter material such as chaff and light sticks, etc., and has left only the heavier sticks to be removed by the re-cleaning screen 6l. Moreover, if any small light material passes screen El it will be blown over channel 'i9 and into channel 8U.

The members il@ permit adjustment of the volume of air permitted to flow through skeleton structure 58, and thence through the openings |59 and through the screen openings Ml and aids in the discharge of straw into the pipe 18. Air is also forced through the annular opening 265) to assist the action of the air passing through the opening |93 and following the direction indicated by the arrows |92. The segments |66 permit adjustment thereof for different types of grain and the like and regulate the blast of air being delivered from the fan to the cleaning cone |32. The cleaned grain in its final stages must necessarily pass into the annular channel 19 since, due to the high rotational speed, the centrifugal action is directed radially from the axis and the grain is thus confined to the opening at 'l|, and, due to the continued centrifugal action is thrown into the channel I9.

An important advantage of the machine flows from the use of an inner threshing and screening mechanism rotating at high speed in conjunction with an outer screening and separating mechanism operating at a lower speed. For compactness and low weight it is necessary to arrange successively operating portions of the mechanism in series extending outwardly from the center of the machine. However, for a given speed of rotation the inner portions move at less speed than the outer portions and, therefore, are subject to less centrifugal force. Moreover, the inner portions necessarily are of smaller area. As a result the inner portions are of relatively small capacity and, therefore, limit the capacity of the machine. If all of the rotating mechanism rotated as a unit and the rotor is speedecl up to increase its capacity the outer portions willmove at excessive speed, thus inducing high stresses and cracking of the grain particles by high velocity impact. `These difficulties are overcome in the present machine by rotating the threshing mechanism and inner screen at a higher speed than the outer portions of the mechanism in order to compensate for the smaller size and lower areas of the inner portions.

The high capacity of the machine is due in part to the fact that the separating functions are divided between a plurality of stages arranged in series so that no stage is'heavily loaded. IThis prevents clogging and interference with rapid separation.

The machine may be used as a stationar7 threshing machine but it is peculiarly adapted for use in a harvester-thresher combine or as a pickup thresher because of its small size and light weight compared with prior mahines of the same capacity and because it is not affected by uneven or sloping ground as in the case of threshers utilizing gravity for separation. The main body or casing of the machine, which is generally cylindrical in form, may be carried by .side plates |98 which are secured to channels |99 that may form part of the combine frame.

The particular form of machine disclosed is to be considered merely as an example of one way of embodying the principles of the invention in a practical machine. The various details of construction shown may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a grain separating mechanism a pair of spaced coaxial centrifugal screens, one mounted within the other, means to supply threshed material to the inner surface of the inner screen at one end thereof, means to rotate said screens at different speeds to force material therethrough by centrifugal force, a helical feeding rib movable with the outer screen and positioned in proximity to the inner surface of the inner screen for feeding material from said one end of said inner screen to the other, and a helical feeding rib movable with the innerscreen and lying in proximity to the inner surface of the outer screen for moving material along said surface toward one end of said outer screen.

2. In a grain separating mechanism a pair of spaced coaxial truncated conical centrifugal screens, one mounted Within the other, means to supply threshed material to the inner surface of the inner screen at the smaller end thereof, means to rotate said screens at different speeds to force material therethrough by centrifugal force and to cause movement of material on the inner surfaces of said screens towards the large ends thereof by centrifugal force, `a helical feeding rib movable with the outer screen and positioned in proximity to the inner surface of the inner screen for controlling movement of material from said smaller end of said inner screen to the larger end, and a helical feeding rib movable with the inner screen and lying in proximity to the inner surface of the outer screen for controllingy movement of material along said surface toward thelarger end of said outer screen.

3. In a centrifugal grain separator, a pair of coaxial rotary members, means for rotating said members at different speeds, an annular screen mounted on one of said members, a second screen mounted on the other member and surrounding the first screen in order to receive screened material from the first screen and subject it to a further screening operation, a re-cleaning screen carried by said other member, means for conducting material which passes through said second screen to the inner surface of said re-cleaning screen, a helical feeding rib carried by said other member and lying in proximity to the inner surface of the first screen for controlling the movement of material toward one lend of the latter, and a pair of helical feeding ribs carried by said one member, one of which lies in proximity to the inner surface of the second screen and the other of which lies in proximity to the inner surface of the re-cleaning screen to control movement of material toward one end of each of said screens, respectively.

4. In a centrifugal grain separator, a pair of coaxial rotary members, means for rotating said members at different speeds, an annular screen mounted on one of said members, a second screen mounted on the other member and surrounding the first screen in' order to receive screened material from the rst screen and subject it to a further screening operation, a re-cleaning screen carried by said other member, means for conducting material which passes through said second screen to the inner surface of said re-cleaning screen, a helical feeding rib carried by said other member and lying in proximity to the inner surface of the first screen for controlling the movement of material toward one end of the latter, a pair of helical feeding ribs carried by said one member, one of which lies in proximity to the inner surface of the second screen and the other of which lies in proximity to the inner surface of the re-cleaning screen to control movement of material toward one end of each of said screens, respectively, and means positioned in the path of movement of material from said second screen to said re-cleaning screen for subjecting said material to a centrifugal winnowing operation.

5. In a grain threshing and separating machine, a pair of axially spaced relatively rotatable annular threshing elements, means for feeding unthreshed material between the elements adjacent the center thereof, centrifugal separating means surrounding said elements and adapted to receive threshed material discharged centrifugally therefrom and to separate the said material, means for rotating said separating means, and means for rotating one of said threshing elements at a higher speed than the speed of rotation of said separating means to compensate for the difference in diameter of said threshing elements and said separating means.

6. In a grain separating device, amember having an internal surface conforming approximately to a truncated cone, means to direct a uniformly distributed air blast axially over said surface in a direction towards the small end of the cone, a rotary centrifugal screen within said member, means to supply threshed material containing grain to said screen, said rotary screen being adapted to discharge screened material onto said surface, means to rotate said air blast and the material on said surface to subject the material on said surface to sufficient centrifugal force to cause only the grain and other denser particles to move toward the vlarge end of said cone against the air blast, a dividing wall extending outwardly from a point closely spaced in an axial direction with respect to the small end of the conical surface for dividing the chaff and other very light particles from unthreshed heads and other particles of intermediate density, and means for discharging over-size material which fails to pass through said screen.

7. A grain separating machine having a rotary centrifugal screen, means to supply threshed material to the inner surface of said screen, means to rotate said screen at sufficient speed to force a portion of said material through the same and discharge it radially by centrifugal' force, a member having an internal approximately frusto-conical surface surrounding said screen and adapted to receive material ywhich passes through the screen, and means to direct a uniformly distributed substantially helical air blast over all of said surface in a direction from the large to the small `end of said conical surface, said air blast having a rotary component of motion sufficient to subject the material on the surface to a centrifugal force effectiveto move only the denser particles on said surface to the larger end thereof in opposition to the axial component of the helical air blast and having an axial component of motion sufcient to move the remaining particles on said surface to the small end of said cone, and means for discharging over-size material which fails to pass through said screen. f

8. In a grain threshing and separating machine, a pair of spaced relatively rotatable threshing elements adapted to thresh material fed between them and discharge it centrifugally, a rotary screen coaxially surrounding said elements and adapted to receive threshed material discharged therefrom, said screen being adapted to prevent the passage of straw and other bulky material but to permit the passage of grain and smaller particles of material, means to rotate said screen in order to force marial through the same and discharge it centrifugally therefrom, an approximately frusto-conical separating plate coaxially surrounding said rotary screen and adapted to receive material which passes through the same, means for directing a blast of air over the internal surface of said plate in a direction from the large end to the small end of the cone, and

means for causing a rotation of the material on said plate to induce suicient centrifugal force to cause only the denser particles on said plate passes through the first screen, a plurality of blades projecting radially from said second screen for the purpose of -receiving screened material therefrom and impelling it radially, means for rotating said second screen and said blades at a lower speed than said threshing element and rst screen, and means for directing an axial air blast in the vicinity of the outer edges of said blades to effect a centrifugal winnowing operation upon the material impelled outwardly by said blades.

10. In a centrifugalgrain separator, a substantially cylindrical casing having an annular chaff receiving channel at one end, an annular grain receiving channel at its opposite end, and an intermediate annular channel said channels being coaxial and opening inwardly, a pair of axially spaced rotary screens mounted within the casing and having inner surfaces adapted to receive material to be screened, means for feeding threshed material to the inner surface of the screen adjacent said one end of the casing, means for blowing an air blast axially through the casing toward said one end thereof, means including said air blastr for separating material dischargedr through said last mentioned screen and directing the lighter particles into saidchaif channel and the heavier particles into said intermediate channel, means for conducting the material from said intermediate channel to the inner surface of the other screen, and means for directing the grain that passes through said other screen into said grain channel through said air blast.

l1. In a grain separating machine, a centrifugal impeller screen structure adapted to receive threshed material and discharge the smaller particles thereof centrifugally through the screen and to discharge the remainder of said material centrifugally at a point axially spaced from the point of discharge of the screened material, a chaff pipe having an annular channel surrounding said machine in position to receive said remaining material, a separating plate of frustoconical form coaxially surrounding said screen structure and adapted to receive screened material discharged therefrom, the smaller end of said separating plate being adjacent said chaff pipe channel, means for directing a blast of air axially over said plate toward the smaller end thereof to blow chaff and light particles into said chaff pipe channel, and means to receive grain and denser particles discharged from the large end of said frusto-concal plate by centrifugal force.

l2. In a grain separating machine, a centrifugal impeller screen structure adapted to receive threshed material and discharge the smaller particles thereof centrifugally through the screen and to discharge the remainder of said material centrifugally at a point axially spaced from the point of discharge of the screened material, a chaff pipe having an annular channel surrounding said machine in position to receive said remaining material, a separating plate of frustoconical form coaxially surrounding said screen structure and adapted to receive screened material discharged therefrom, the smaller end of said separating plate being adjacent said chaffi pipe channel, means for directing a blast of air axially over said plate toward the smaller end thereof to blow chaff and light particles into said chaff" pipe channel, a re-cleaning screen, and means to receive grain and denser particles discharged from the large end of said frusto-conical plate and direct them to said re-cleaning screen.

13. In a grain threshing and separating machine, means to thresh a crop and discharge the threshed material radially by centrifugal force, a centrifugal impeller screen Structure adapted to receive material discharged from said threshing means and to centrifugally discharge screened material radially at one point and the remainder of the material radially at an axially spaced point, a chaff pipe having an annular channel surrounding said machine in position to receive said remaining material, a frusto-conical separating plate surrounding said screen structure and adapted to receive screened material discharged therefrom, the smaller end of said plate being adjacent said chaff pipe channel, means for directing a blast of air axially over said plate toward the smaller end thereof to blow chaff and light particles into said chaff pipe channel, a separating Wall extending outwardly from a point between the chaff pipe channel and the small end of said plate and spaced slightly from the latter,

means to receive unthreshed heads and other material of intermediate density which is projected radially between said plate and said dividing wall and to deliver said material back to said threshing means, and means to receive grain and denser particles discharged from the large end of said frusto-conical plate by centrifugal force.

14. A separating device including a member having an internal surface conforming approximately to a truncated cone, means including an annularly disposed air inlet in registry with the periphery of the large end of said conical surface and an annularly disposed air outlet in registry with the periphery of the small end of said conical surface to direct and maintain a uniformly distributed air blast over all of said surface with a uniform axial component of motion in a direction from the large to the small end of the cone, means to deposit unseparated material on said surface intermediate the ends thereof by an outward movement of the material from a region located within and between the ends of the cone and to rotate said air moving over said surface and the material on said surface about the axis of said cone at sufficient speed to cause only the denser particles thereof to move on said surface under the influence of centrifugal force toward the larger end of said cone against the force of the axial air blast, said axial air blast component being sufficient to carry the remaining material along the surface of the cone to the small end thereof and discharge said remaining material uniformly through said outlet.

l5. A separating device including a member having an internal surface conforming approximately to a truncated cone, an annular channel located adjacent and radially outwardly of each extremity of said conical surface, means to direct and maintain a uniformly distributed air blast over all of said surface with an axial component of motion in a direction from the large to the small end of the cone, means to deposit unseparated material on said surface intermediate the ends thereof and to rotate the air moving over said surface and the material on said surface about the axis of said cone at sumcient speed to cause only the denser particles thereof to move on said surface under the influence of centrifugal force toward the larger end of said cone against the force of the axial air blast and discharge into the channel adjacent the large extremity of the conical surface, said axial air blast component being sufficient to carry the remaining material along the surface of the cone to and discharge it uniformly around the periphery of the small end thereof, an outlet opening in communication with the channel adjacent the small end of the cone, and a centrifugal fan having blades extending into said last mentioned channel radiallyv beyond the peripheral edge of the small end of the cone for receiving air discharged from said conical surface and expelling it through said outlet opening.

16. The method of separating which includes depositing unseparated material upon an internal truncated approximately conical surface, moving the lighter components of said material along said surface to and discharging them uniformly around the periphery of the inner extremity of the truncated portion of said cone by subjecting the material to an air blast having a substantially uniform axial component of motion from the large to the small end of the cone, and simultaneously moving the denser components of said material along said surface to the large end of the cone by continuously rotating the air and all of said material on said surface about the axis of the cone at a uniform speed sufficient to induce -`a centrifugal forceactingon said material which lis sufcientin the-case of the denser components o'f 2the lmaterial only to overcome the influence fof Athe axialairblast component.

17. A separating Vdevice including a member having `an internal surface conforming 'approximately to the internal surface of a truncated cone, means includingan yannularly disposed air linlet in registry with `substantially the entire `periphery of thellarge end of said conical surface `and an 1annularlydsposed air outlet in registry :with substantially the entire periphery of the lsmall endv of said conical surface for vdirecting a uniformly distributed air blast `over all of said surface with a ysubstantially uniform axial component of motion in a-'direction from 'the large :to thesmall .end ofthe cone, ymeans to'deposit surfaceof the. cone toward and through said air outlet.

18. A separating device including a stationary member having an internal surface conforming approximately to the internal surface of a truncated cone, means including an annular inlet opening in registry with the entire periphery of the large end of said conical surface and an annular outlet opening in registry with the entire periphery of the small end of said conical surface for directing a uniformly distributed air blast in a substantially helical path over all of said surface with an axial component of motion in-a direction from the large end of the truncated cone to the small end and a rotary component of motion about the axis of the cone, means for depositing unseparated material on said surface intermediate the ends thereof with an initial rotary motion equal to said rotary component of motion of the air blast, said axial and rotary components of motion of the air blast being so related at all points on said surface as to cause material of one density to move outwardly on i said surface to the large extremity of the cone under the influence of centrifugal force and to cause material of less density to move inwardly on said surface toward the small extremity of the cone and discharge uniformly through said outlet under the influence of the axial component of the air blast.

19. A separating device including a stationary member having an internal surface conforming approximately to the internal surface of a truncated cone, means including an annular inlet opening in registry with the entire periphery of the large end of said conical surface and an annular outlet opening in registry with the entire periphery of the small end of said conical surface for directing a uniformly distributed air blast in a substantially helical path over all of said surface with a uniform axial component of motion in a direction from the large end of the truncated cone to the small end and a rotary component of motion about the axis of the cone, means for depositing unseparated material on said surface intermediate the ends thereof -with an initial rotary motion equal to said rotary component of motion of the air blast, said axial and rotary Jconlponents of motion of `the .air '.blast "being-so related'at -all points on said surface as `to cause material of one density to move outwardly-on said surface to the large extremity of the coneunder-the influence of centrifugal force and to cause material of less density to move inwardly-on -said surface toward the small exl'tremityfo'f the cone and discharge runiformly ythrough said annular outlet under the inuence of the axial lcomponent of the air blast, and -means to adjust ltheaxial component of the air blast with respectlto its rotary component.

120. #A separatingdevice including a stationary member having an internal -approximately -truncated conical surface, a rotary member journaled coaxially Within said surface and provided with -a pluralityfof'blades the-outer Aedges of which are positioned Vin close proximity to said surface over substantially the entire -extent of said surface, meansfor supplying unseparated material to said surface in =a radial direction outwardly between said blades, and means'including anannulai` air -inlet-openingi-in `registry with the entire periphery of -the 'large-end rof said conical surface andan annular air outletopening in registryvwith the entireperip'hery of .the small end of said conical surface 'for directinga uniformly distributed air blastfover all of said-surfacewith `an-axial component of motion in a direction from the large to the small end of the cone, and means for rotating said member to cause said blades to maintain the air inthe vicinity of said surface and the material on said surface rotating at a uniform angular velocity sufcient to cause only the denser vparticles of said material to move on said surface toward the large end of the conical surface under the influence of centrifugal force against the force of the axial component of motion of said air blast.

2l. In a grain separating device, a member having an internal surface conforming approximately to the internal surface-of a truncated cone, means including an annular air inlet opening in registry with the entire periphery of the large end of said conical surface and an annular outlet opening in registry with the entire periphery of the small end of said conical surface for directing a uniformly distributed air blast over all of said surface with an axial component of motion in a direction toward the small end of the cone, means to supply threshed material containing grain to said surface, means to rotate said air blast and the material on said surface about the axis of said cone to subject the material on said surface to suiiicient centrifugal force to cause only the grain and other denser particles to move on said surface toward the large end of the cone against the air blast while permitting the lighter particles including chaff and unthreshed heads to move on the surface of the cone toward the small end thereof and discharge through said outlet under the influence of the axial air blast, and a radially extending dividing wall having its innermost edge closely spaced in an axial direction with respect to the small end of the conical surface for dividing the chaff and other very light particles from unthreshed heads and other particles of intermediate density discharged through said outlet by the axial component of said air blast.

22. A separating device including a member having an internal surface conforming approximately to the internal surface of a truncated cone, means including an annularly disposed air inlet in registry with substantially the entire periphery of the large end of said conical surface and an annularly disposed air outlet in registry with substantially the entire periphery of the small end of said conical surface for directing a uniformly distributed air blast over all of said surface with an axial component of motion in a direction from the large to the small end of the cone, means to deposit unseparated material on said surface intermediate the ends thereof and to rotate said air moving over all said surface and all the material on said surface about the axis of said cone at a uniform speed suicient to cause only the denser particles thereof to move on said surface under the influence of centrifugal force towards said air inlet against the force of the axial air blast, said axial component of the air blast being sufcient to carry the remaining material along the surface of the cone toward and through said air outlet.

23. The method of separating grain from a threshed cereal crop which includes the steps of screening the threshed crop to remove the bulk of the straw, depositing the material which passes through the screen upon an internal truncated approximately conical surface by a movement in a radially outward spiral path Whose axis is that of the conical surface, moving the chaff and lighter components of said material along said surface to and discharging them uniformly around the periphery of the inner extremity of the truncated portion of said cone by subjecting said material to an air blast having a uniform axial component of motion from the large to the small end of the cone, and simultaneously moving the grain along said surface to the large end of the cone by continuously rotating the air and all of said material on said surface about the axis of the cone at a uniform speed sufficient to induce a centrifugal force acting on said material which is sufficient in the case of the grain particles to overcome the influence of the axial air blast component.

24. In a grain separating machine, an annular impeller screen structure, means for centrifugally impelling threshed material through said screen structure, a separating member having a frustoconical internal surface spaced from said screen structure at the peripheral limits thereof, means for producing an annular jet of air at high velocity over said surface toward the small end of the cone, said impeller screen structure being adapted to rotate screened material on said surface at sufficient speed to enable only the denser particles of said material to move against the air jet in response to centrifugal force.

EDGAR E. METCALF. 

